Rotary earth tilling device



Dec. 29, 1953 G. E. BEARD 2,654,040

ROTARY EARTH TILLING DEVICE Filed Oct. 24, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BY 2 ,2 C F ATTORNEYS Dec. 29, 1953 G. E. BEARD ROTARY EARTH TILLINGDEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001;. 24, 1950 INVENTOR fii'ajyel BeardATTORNEYS BY j Patented Dec. 29, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARYEARTH TILLING DEVICE George E. Beard, San Angelo, Tex.

Application October 24, 1950, Serial No. 191,896

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a rotary earth tilling device ofuniversal applicability to various implements, and more particularly topower driven implements, and which is especially adapted to thepreparation of seed beds and to the early cultivation of row crops.

It is among the purposes of the invention to provide a rotary earthtilling unit which may be employed in any desired multiples and with anypredetermined desired spacing between the units, the rotary earthtilling unit of the present invention being susceptible of assembly andsale as an individual unit and comprised of readily replaceable elementswhich may be replaced or renewed with great facility.

It is a further object and purpose of the invention to provide a rotaryearth tilling device which avoids packing or compressing of the earthand one which leaves the earth surface in the form of a loose mulch.

I am aware that various types of toothed rotary earth working implementshave heretofore been proposed. However, none has embodied the simplicityof construction, the ready assembly and replacement of parts, and theefficacy of operation afiorded by the device of the present invention asevidenced by its immediate commercial acceptance.

More specifically detailed advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds which will be given inconnection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and inwhich:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a rotary earth tilling deviceconforming to the invention, ShOWing the supporting implement bar incross section;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the rotary earth tilling unit of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view through the bearing assemblytaken along the line 33 of Figure l; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 1, the numeral Ill designates a conventionalimplement supporting bar of the type carried or adapted to be mountedeither in advance of or in rear of a tractor or to be carried on anyform of earth working implement. The bar It forms no part of the presentinvention and merely constitutes an appropriate carrier for the rotaryearth tilling unit which does constitute the invention.

The single rotary earth tilling unit embraces the elongated bar ll,integrally carrying at its upper end a plate l2 provided withappropriately spaced openings for receiving the clamping bolts l3, therebeing four such bolts illustrated in the preferred embodiment shown inthe drawings. The plate 12 extends at an angle of about 30 degrees tothe bar II. A clamping plate 14 is provided with suitable apertures forthe free ends of the bolts '13 and is adapted to be held in assembledposition by the threaded nuts [5 received on the free ends of the boltsI 3. It will be appreciated that the clamping plate l4 and the plate l2may have any desired configuration suitable to the particular form ofimplement supporting bar on which the rotary tilling unit is to bemounted. Substantially square bars such as the one indicated at It areusually provided on earth working implements and for that reason theclamping means for the unit is illustrated as applicable to such asquare bar.

The lower end of the bar iI is provided with an elongated slot 15extending longitudinally of the bar II. The slot it permits the settingof the rotary elements of the unit at any desired position of adjustmentalong said slot.

The rotary earth till-ing unit embraces two interchangeable rotaryelements H and 48, Each of the rotary elements I? and I8 is providedwith two sets of axially spaced earth engaging teeth. The sets of earthengaging teeth on rotary element I! are designated !9 and 2D, and theseparate sets of earth engaging teeth on the rotary element l8 aredesignated 2i and 22. In the preferred embodiment each of the sets ofteeth I9, 20, 2| and 22 embraces six individual earth engaging teeth.The unit thus carries twentyfour individual earth engaging elements.Each tooth is a duplicate of every other tooth, and each toothterminates at its free ends in a flattened curved portion 23. The shankof each tooth is preferably smooth and round and each tooth isintegrally secured as by welds indicated at 24 to the hub of itsassociated rotary element [1 or l8. The rotary elements H and ii! areheld in position on the bar II by the clamping bolt 25 carrying athreaded nut 25, the arrangement being such that the rotary element Hlies on one side of the bar it and the rotary element l8 on the oppositeside of the bar I i.

By referring to Figure 3 it will be observed that the opposite ends ofthe hub of the rotary element I! are provided with annular shoulders 21and that the hub of the rotary element I8 is likewise provided at itsopposite ends with annular shoulders 28. A floating sleeve 29 isreceived in the hub portion of the rotary element ll and is of alengthsuch that it terminates flush with the laces of the shoulders 21. Anidentical floating sleeve 30 is received in the hub of the rotaryelement 18 and is of a length such that its ends terminate flush withthe shoulders 28. The sleeves 2i and 30 are provided with centrallylocated, radially extended apertures 3i and o facilitate lubrication. Asplit bearing comprised of two parts and 34 is received within the hubof the rotary element H and floating sleeve 29. The bearing member 33has an annular flange and the member 34 has an annular flange 36, lheflanges 35 and 3B are adapted to abut the annular shoulders?! :inthehubof the rotary elment ll with sufficient clearance to pc unit freerelative rotation. The'flanges'35 and 35 hold the floating sleeve.29 inplace. It will add onally be observed that the inner ends of the members33 and 34 are slightly beveled-to provide a lubricant receiving groovein alignment with apertures 3i in the sleeve29. The two part bearingreceived in the sleeve. 30 of the rotary element i8 is an exactduplicate .of the hereinabove described two part bearing member receivedin the sleeve 29 of rotary element l1 and needs no further detaileddescription. Spacing washers are adapted to lie on either side cl the iiand appropriate lock washers are positioned at opposite ends of the bolt25. The arrangement is such that the bolt 25,.and the two sets of twopart bearing members, exemplifled by members 33 and 34 in the rotaryelement ii, are all tightly clamped to the. bar ii and togetherconstitute the stationary bearing about which the rotary elements ii"and it turn. The interposed floating sleeves 29 and 39, receivinglubricant through the conventional Zerk fittings provide a fullyprotected floating mountfor each of the rotating elements of the unit.

It will be observed that all corresponding elements interchangeable. Forexample, the rotary elements 3? and is may be interposed; the floatingsleeves 25 and may be interposed; the two part hearing members 23 and 34may be interposed within the rotating element i? or they may beinterchanged with either of the two part bearing members mounted in thesleeve 30. All elements may be fab ice-ted standard parts and any sielement may be replaced without necessitating replacement of otherparts. The single boit so in asser or" holds both rotating elements lland i8 bled relation and in appropriate position nent on the bar ii. Theease of assembly a i the replaceability of individual parts cor utemeritorious features of the .invcntion. The bearings are sealed andprotected from leakage or grease and ingress of dirt.

It will be noted that the teeth of the two sets 59 and 2B and of the twosets 2i and. 22 are welded to their associated hubs instaggered-relation. Teeth of approximately six and one-half inches inlength, either round or square in cross section, provided with iiattenedworking ends have been found highly effective in use. The locating ofthe rotating elements i1 and i8 longitudinally of the rm 5 I through themedium of the slot lfipermits ready adjustment to attain any desireddepth of penetration of the earth by the teeth.

The implement has been found to be of very great value in the earlystages of row crop tilling shortly after the plants have broken throughthe top of the ground, and in some instances where the plants have notyet come through the crust. The device is light in Weight and does notpack the earth. It is efiective inbreaking the crust around the plantswithout injury thereto and can be used in conjunction with routine rowcrop tilling by positioning a pair of the exemplified units in aposition to run close to the rows being plowed. The rotary elements ofthe units in such use provide fenders to prevent the niidrow plows fromcovering the plants with dirt. The exemplified units can be mounted inspaced relation to cultivaterow crops or, alternatively, can be mountedin juxta-pcsition so as to provide a continuous action which can beemployed most effectively in preparing seed beds and is even effectivein aerating grass sod. The device has alreadyreceived Wide acceptanceand demonstrated its efficiency under severe tests.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An earth tilling device comprising an elongated bar having alongitudinally extending slot therein, an axle extending through saidslot, a rotary earth .tillingunit on said axle. on each side of saidbar, each of said earth tilling units comprising a hub having anoutwardly facing annular shoulder in each end thereof, bearing means ineachendof said hub adjacent said shoulders, a spacer sleeve slnrozmdingsaid axle within said hub between said bearing means, said spacer sleeveg a1 length substantially equal to the axial distance between saidshoulders, and means on the ends of said axle engaging the outer bearingmeans of each tilling unit and applying inwardly directed forces to saidouter bearing means and through said spacer sleeve to the inner bearingmeans of each tilling unit to force the inner bearing means of eachtilling unit toward the sides of said bar, thereby causing said earthtilling units to be tightly clamped to said bar While preventing saidbearing means from being forcibly urged against their associatedshoulder 2. An earth tilling device comprising an elongated bar having alongitudinally extending slot therein, an axle extending through saidslot, a rotary earth tilling unit on said axle on each side of said bar,each of said earth tilling units comprising a hub having an outwardlyfacing annular shoulder in each end thereof, bearing'mea in each end ofsaid hub adjacent said shoulders, a spacer sleeve surrounding said axlewithin said hub between said bearing means, said spacer sleeve having anaxial length substantially equal to the axial distance between saidshoulders, and means on the ends of said axle engaging the outer bearingmeans of each tilling unit and forcing the inner bearing means of eachtilling unit toward the sides of said bar, such force being transmittedbetween the inner and outer bearing means of each tilling unit by theassociated spacer sleeve thereby enabling said earth tilling units tobetightly clamped to said bar while preventing said bearing means frombeing forcibly urged against their associated. shoulders.

3. An earth tilling device comprising an elongated bar having a slottherein, an axle .bolt extcnclingthrough said slot, a rotary earthtilling unit on said axle'bclt on eachside of said bar, each oisaidearth tilling units comprising a hub having an outwardly facing annularshoulder in each end thereof, bearing means surrounding said axle boltin each end of saidhub, said bearing means having peripheral portionspositioned adjacent said'shoulders, a spacer sleeve surrounding saidaxle withinsaid hub between said bearing means, said spacer sleeveproviding positive minimum. axialspacing or" said peripheral portions ofsaid. bearing .means substantially equal to the axial distance betweensaid shoulders, and means on the ends of said axle engaging the outerbearing means of each tilling unit and forcing the inner bearing meansof each tilling unit toward the sides of said soar, such force beingtransmitted between the inner and outer bearing means of each tillingunit by the associated spacer sleeve thereby enabling said earth tillingunits to be tightly clamped to said bar while preventing said peripheralportions of said bearing means from being forcibly urged against theirassociated shoulders.

GEORGE E. BEARD.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

